Difference between revisions of "Find Initial Velocity"
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| − | Velocity is a function of time and defined by both a magnitude and a direction. <ref>http://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/1DKin/Lesson-1/Speed-and-Velocity</ref> Often in physics problems, you will need to calculate the initial velocity (speed and direction) at which an object in question began to travel. There are multiple equations that can be used to determine initial velocity. Using the information given in a problem, you can determine the proper equation to use and easily answer your question. | + | Velocity is a function of time and defined by both a magnitude and a direction. <ref name="rf1">http://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/1DKin/Lesson-1/Speed-and-Velocity</ref> Often in physics problems, you will need to calculate the initial velocity (speed and direction) at which an object in question began to travel. There are multiple equations that can be used to determine initial velocity. Using the information given in a problem, you can determine the proper equation to use and easily answer your question. |
[[Category:Classical Mechanics]] | [[Category:Classical Mechanics]] | ||
==Steps== | ==Steps== | ||
| − | === Finding Initial Velocity with Final Velocity, Acceleration, and Time<ref>http://easycalculation.com/physics/classical-physics/constant-acc-velocity.php</ref>=== | + | === Finding Initial Velocity with Final Velocity, Acceleration, and Time<ref name="rf2">http://easycalculation.com/physics/classical-physics/constant-acc-velocity.php</ref>=== |
#Know the right equation to use. In order to solve any physics problem you must know which equation to use. Writing down all of the known information is the first step to finding the right equation. If you have values for the final velocity, acceleration, and time involved, you can use the following equation: | #Know the right equation to use. In order to solve any physics problem you must know which equation to use. Writing down all of the known information is the first step to finding the right equation. If you have values for the final velocity, acceleration, and time involved, you can use the following equation: | ||
#*Initial velocity: '''V<sub>i</sub> = V<sub>f</sub> - (a * t)''' | #*Initial velocity: '''V<sub>i</sub> = V<sub>f</sub> - (a * t)''' | ||
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#*Write your answer correctly. Include a unit of measurement, usually meters per second or ''m/s'', as well as a direction the object was traveling in. Without providing information about the direction, you only have a measurement of speed rather than velocity. | #*Write your answer correctly. Include a unit of measurement, usually meters per second or ''m/s'', as well as a direction the object was traveling in. Without providing information about the direction, you only have a measurement of speed rather than velocity. | ||
| − | === Finding Initial Velocity with Distance, Time, and Acceleration<ref>http://physics.tutorvista.com/motion/initial-velocity.html</ref>=== | + | === Finding Initial Velocity with Distance, Time, and Acceleration<ref name="rf3">http://physics.tutorvista.com/motion/initial-velocity.html</ref>=== |
#Know the right equation to use. In order to solve any physics problem you must know which equation to use. Writing down all of the known information is the first step to finding the right equation. If you know values for the distance, time, and acceleration, you can use the following equation: | #Know the right equation to use. In order to solve any physics problem you must know which equation to use. Writing down all of the known information is the first step to finding the right equation. If you know values for the distance, time, and acceleration, you can use the following equation: | ||
#*Initial velocity: '''V<sub>i</sub> = (d / t) - [(a * t) / 2]''' | #*Initial velocity: '''V<sub>i</sub> = (d / t) - [(a * t) / 2]''' | ||
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#*Write your answer correctly. Include a unit of measurement, usually meters per second or ''m/s'', as well as a direction the object was traveling in. Without providing information about the direction, you only have a measurement of speed rather than velocity. | #*Write your answer correctly. Include a unit of measurement, usually meters per second or ''m/s'', as well as a direction the object was traveling in. Without providing information about the direction, you only have a measurement of speed rather than velocity. | ||
| − | === Finding Initial Velocity with Final Velocity, Acceleration, and Distance <ref>http://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/1DKin/Lesson-6/Kinematic-Equations</ref>=== | + | === Finding Initial Velocity with Final Velocity, Acceleration, and Distance <ref name="rf4">http://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/1DKin/Lesson-6/Kinematic-Equations</ref>=== |
#Know the right equation to use. In order to solve any physics problem you must know which equation to use. Writing down all of the known information is the first step to finding the right equation. If you are given the final velocity, acceleration, and distance, you can use the following equation: | #Know the right equation to use. In order to solve any physics problem you must know which equation to use. Writing down all of the known information is the first step to finding the right equation. If you are given the final velocity, acceleration, and distance, you can use the following equation: | ||
#*Initial velocity: '''V<sub>i</sub> = √ [V<sub>f</sub><sup>2</sup> - (2 * a * d)]''' | #*Initial velocity: '''V<sub>i</sub> = √ [V<sub>f</sub><sup>2</sup> - (2 * a * d)]''' | ||
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#*Write your answer correctly. Include a unit of measurement, usually meters per second or ''m/s'', as well as a direction the object was traveling in. Without providing information about the direction, you only have a measurement of speed rather than velocity. | #*Write your answer correctly. Include a unit of measurement, usually meters per second or ''m/s'', as well as a direction the object was traveling in. Without providing information about the direction, you only have a measurement of speed rather than velocity. | ||
| − | === Finding Initial Velocity with Final Velocity, Time, and Distance <ref | + | === Finding Initial Velocity with Final Velocity, Time, and Distance <ref name="rf4" />=== |
#Know the right equation to use. In order to solve any physics problem you must know which equation to use. Writing down all of the known information is the first step to finding the right equation. If you are given the final velocity, time, and distance, you can use the following equation: | #Know the right equation to use. In order to solve any physics problem you must know which equation to use. Writing down all of the known information is the first step to finding the right equation. If you are given the final velocity, time, and distance, you can use the following equation: | ||
#*Initial velocity: '''V<sub>i</sub> = 2(d/t) - V<sub>f</sub>''' | #*Initial velocity: '''V<sub>i</sub> = 2(d/t) - V<sub>f</sub>''' | ||
